Did you know that 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve the quality of life for up to 75 people? Or that despite our polite nature, Canada has one of the worst organ and tissue donor rates of all developed countries? Or that out of the 4,400 patients on the wait-list, there will be 5 deaths per week and 1 death every 30 hours? These are just a few of the astounding statistics that the David Foster Foundation is looking to draw awareness as we recognize National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month this April.

The David Foster Foundation is a national non-profit Canadian charitable organization that was founded by David Foster, who started it after a request from his mother. The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial support for non-medical expenses to Canadian families with children in need of pediatric organ transplants. Over the past 36 years, the Foundation has assisted over 1,300 families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants and provided much-needed dollars in direct family support.

“We are proud to have helped families across Canada for over 30 years, however there is definitely more work to be done,” said Hon. Col. Michael Ravenhill, Chief Executive Officer, David Foster Foundation. “We are encouraging all Canadians to become registered organ and tissue donors as there may come a time that it may be one of our lives that needs to be saved.”

To increase public awareness and education, the David Foster Foundation will launch several initiatives throughout the month:

• Digital billboard visibility across the Greater Toronto Area, within Montreal and Vancouver.
• National multi-media educational and informative interviews.
• Celebrity and corporate social media awareness campaigns.

“This recognized month brings greater awareness to the importance of organ and tissue registration and donation,” added David Foster, Founder and Chairman, David Foster Foundation. “Sadly, the need for registered organ donors is often overlooked, but it’s never too late to make a difference.”

Do you have two minutes to help save a life? There are multiple ways for Canadians to support us during National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Month, including 1) visit us at www.davidfosterfoundation.com to see how you can help us, 2) register to become an organ donor and share your wishes with your family, 3) Follow @DavidFosterFoundation on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, 4) share your support via social media by using the hashtag #NOTDAM.

Whether it was helping Nathan Hutchinson from Ontario who received a double-lung transplant or Briar Magel from Saskatchewan who received a multivisceral transplant, the David Foster Foundation is proud to share incredible family stories filled of perseverance, love and optimism. Our full family support stories can be found at https://davidfosterfoundation.com

About The David Foster Foundation

The David Foster Foundation provides financial assistance to families of children for all non-medical expenses while their child is going through the major organ transplant process. Thanks to its annual fundraising efforts and the generous support of Life Legacy Members, national partners, and donors, families receive financial support for day-to-day expenses such as mortgage/rent, car payments, travel expenses, utilities, groceries and more while their child is going through the major organ transplant process.

The success of the David Foster Foundation would not be possible without the generous support of Life Legacy Members including Jim & Sandi Treliving, AWIN Group of Dealerships, GAIN Group, Jim Pattison, TELUS, The Slaight Family Foundation, Paragon, Walter & Maria Schneider, the Newton Glassman Charitable Foundation in Partnership with the Catalyst Capital Group, Kyle MacDonald & John Franklin, and Joan & Paul Waechter. The Foundation is also supported by National Partners WestJet, Aird & Berlis LLP, National Post, ALLVISION, and Schnitzer Steel, and Community Partners StayWell Suites, Boston Pizza, Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Tom Lee Music, Gib-San Pools, DeerFields Clinic, and RBC Dominion Securities, The Hillyard Stephen Group.

For those who wish to have a deeper involvement with the organization, there are a number of ways to contribute including the donation of RBC Rewards and Aeroplan miles, all of which will directly help families going through the organ transplant process.

The Foundation also promotes organ donor awareness and registration in both Canada and the United States. For more information, visit www.davidfosterfoundation.com